Abstract
Extensive research has consistently shown an association between relational victimization and internalizing problems among adolescents. However, limited information is available about the underlying peer status related factors that may mediate or moderate this association. Using a short-term longitudinal design with a six-month interval between the two waves, this study examined whether popularity status insecurity mediated the associations between relational victimization and internalizing problems and whether this mediational process was moderated by popularity status among 447 (250 girls) Chinese 7th and 8th graders. The findings of this study show that popularity status insecurity mediated the longitudinal associations between relational victimization and the two internalizing problems, depressive symptoms and anxiety, but only for adolescents with relatively low popularity. This study reveals the moderated mediation processes explaining the impact of relational victimization on adolescents’ mental health.
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Acknowledgements
The authors sincerely thank the adolescents who participated in this research and the schools and research assistants who assisted with the data collection.
Authors’ Contributions
Y. Long conceived the study, performed the statistical analysis, and drafted the manuscript; H. Zhou. participated in the data collection and helped draft the manuscript; Y. Li conceived the study, participated in its design, coordination, and data collection, and draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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This research was supported by a research grant from DePaul University awarded to Y. Li.
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The research procedures of the present study were approved by the Institutional Review Board at DePaul University.
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Both parents and adolescents were informed of the study. Parental permission was first obtained. Adolescents with parental permission provided assent before their participation in the study.
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Long, Y., Zhou, H. & Li, Y. Relational Victimization and Internalizing Problems: Moderation of Popularity and Mediation of Popularity Status Insecurity. J Youth Adolescence 49, 724–734 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-019-01177-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-019-01177-x